When can an Honorably Discharged Veteran wear his/her old uniform?

SSgt Bob Mobbs — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 21:56:07 -0500

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2015 10:00 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 22:00:36 -0500

http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-140814-096.pdf

AFI 36-2903 has the answer for you. Long story short, an honorably discharged vet with wartime service can wear their uniform (blues) wherever it would not tend to bring discredit upon the armed forces.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2015 10:20 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 22:20:47 -0500

Events of a military nature.
Holidays including Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.
By invitation of a local commander, such as to a ball or other event.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 31 at 2015 10:32 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 22:32:44 -0500

Some employer actually encourage it on Veterans Day. Locally Black and Veatch comes to mind. If you can, more power too You. When I retired I weighed 169 lbs. Now 200 Lbs. Can't put my Jumper Top on won't fit over my chest and Forget those 13 Button Pants.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 1 at 2016 8:10 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 08:10:35 -0500

Each services Uniform Regulation usually has a section specifically applying to wear of uniform by Honorably Discharged Veterans. Both by Occasion (when & when), and specific Regulation (how).

1SG Private RallyPoint Member hit the highlights, which are "Military Themed."

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2016 8:39 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 08:39:17 -0500

Hummm - about 75 pounds ago.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 1 at 2016 8:48 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 08:48:41 -0500

Everyone else has given the proper answers and I'll give you the common sense one. As long as you wear your uniform properly/in a respectful manner, and you're not wearing it to promote violence, politics, etc., nobody in their right mind would say anything (except for maybe these Stolen Valor pricks).

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made Jan 1 at 2016 11:50 AM

SGT Lawrence Corser — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 11:50:26 -0500

anytime you want, what are they gonna do bend your DD214?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 1 at 2016 12:14 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 12:14:14 -0500

The official Army position IAW AR670-1, which also means it complies with all statutes at time of publication.
23–3. Retired personnel
a. Personnel who will be advanced to a higher grade upon retirement have the option of wearing the insignia of that grade thereafter.
b. Retired personnel on active duty will wear their uniform and insignia in the same manner as prescribed for personnel in the AA of corresponding grade and branch.
c. Retired personnel not on active duty may wear either the uniform reflecting their grade and branch on the date of their retirement, or the uniform prescribed for personnel in the AA of corresponding grade and branch, when appropriate, but may not mix the two uniforms. Personnel will wear the grade as shown on the retired grade of rank line on their retirement order.
d. Retired personnel not on active duty are not authorized to wear the Army uniform when they are instructors or responsible for military discipline at an educational institution, unless the educational institution is conducting courses of instruction approved by the Armed Forces.
e. In addition to the occasions for wear listed above, retired personnel are authorized to wear the uniform only on the following occasions:
(1) While attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) Attending parades on national or State holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve U.S. military unit is taking part. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the combat uniform and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn. Wearing the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.
f. Retirees are authorized to wear the physical fitness uniform under the following provisions:
(1) With civilian attire off the installation.
(2) When wearing the physical fitness uniform as a complete uniform, retirees will—
(a) Wear only authorized accessories corresponding to those worn by personnel of the AA.
(b) Wear the uniform in accordance with the guidance provided to AA Soldiers in DA Pam 670–1. g. Retirees are authorized to wear the Retired Service ID Badge (see DA Pam 670–1).
23–4. Former members of the Army
a. Unless qualified under another provision of this regulation, or under the provisions of 10 USC 772, former members of the Army may only wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions. Personnel who qualify under these conditions will wear the Army uniform in the highest grade they held during such war service, in accordance with 10 USC 772.
b. When authorized, the uniform may be worn only for the following ceremonial occasions and when traveling to and from the event and must follow guidance included in paragraph 3–7c.
(1) When attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) When attending parades on national or State holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve U.S. military unit is taking part. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the combat uniform and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn. Wearing the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Feb 24 at 2016 3:08 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 15:08:43 -0500

For sailors, you can wear it any time, but you (a) have to wear the whole thing and (2) it has to be proper. So if I was going to wear my dress blue jumper, I'd have to have the white t-shirt, white "dixie cup" hat, neckerchief, jumper top, 13 button pants, black socks and black uniform shoes. I can't decide not to wear the hat or the neckerchief. Also, you can't mix and match. If your uniform is from the 1980's, you can't mix it with modern parts, etc. Also, you can't go back in time. I'd love to wear a 1960's/1970's "salt and pepper" uniform but it wasn't "issue" when I was in so for me to get one for wearing would be wrong unless I was a re-enactor taking part in a Navy history display. Now, having said that, a Pearl Harbor veteran wearing wrong gear is going to get nothing from me but a stiff salute and my undying respect...

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Feb 24 at 2016 3:15 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 15:15:14 -0500

One thing that a lot of these discussions fail to address is that when WEARING the uniform, you go BACK in to the military. That means you will be clean shaven, mustache/beard/hair length within spec for your time period, etc. Tatoos, piercings, etc. Oh and...it also means you must salute/render honors, etc. "Good morning sir/maam," etc. No way. Not me. I'm wearing a suit with mini ribbons/badges.

Response by SPC James Steinhauer made Jan 29 at 2018 1:56 PM

SPC James Steinhauer — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 13:56:39 -0500

Where can I get a class A uniform to wear to my grandsons commisioning ceremony. He asked me to pin on his Rank.
I am a Vietnam combat veteran

Response by SGT Hubert Burchartz made Apr 14 at 2018 10:28 AM

SGT Hubert Burchartz — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 10:28:22 -0400

My son Graduated from Basic at Fort Sill this month. I Retired last February at 22 years, I shaved, got a regulation haircut at Fort Leonard Wood on the way down. Hair and beard will grow back, but I wanted to Honor my Son.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 14 at 2018 10:38 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 10:38:12 -0400

Yes if wear is IAW current regs, for formal functions, veterans functions special days- ONLY!

Response by SGT Clarence Driver made Apr 20 at 2018 4:23 PM

SGT Clarence Driver — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:23:05 -0400

The uniform reg still stands in effect no matter your in or out of the service with limitations .
Please review it still to be in the right.
There are new laws now that can effect you wearing your uniform as a civilian.

Response by PV2 Kristina Watson-Exley Ulch made Apr 22 at 2018 9:25 AM

PV2 Kristina Watson-Exley Ulch — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 09:25:29 -0400

I don't even have my bdu anymore all that stuff got lost in a move. I do still have my class A I know I can't ware them anymore. I was 19-20 years old and weighed about 110. Now I'm almost 40 and 135.

Response by PO1 Paul Jungnitsch made Jul 27 at 2020 4:58 PM

PO1 Paul Jungnitsch — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 16:58:22 -0400

Proper military haircut and shave. The same uniform and decorations you would have worn on your last day of service. Remember that you would be representing me also. There are civilian laws against impersonating the active duty military. So only at proper events, like funerals and events celebrating veterans. Different rules apply between retired and discharged. Read the regulations and laws before putting on the uniform. Behaviors like saluting have not been discussed here yet.